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Abstract:

A data center for executing a data processing application includes
processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units,
sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing
application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical
disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with
each other over free space optical links.

Claims:

1-315. (canceled)

316. A data center comprising: a plurality of data center units (DCUs),
wherein each DCU is configured to run a part or all of one or more data
processing applications, wherein one of more of the DCUs are coupled to
an internal network of one or more free space optical communication links
between the DCUs, and wherein the internal network is configured to
support multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical communications
over the links.

317. The data center of claim 316, wherein at least a first of the
plurality of DCUs includes an optical interface unit (OIU) configured to
connect the first DCU to the internal network in response to a free space
optical control signal.

318. The data center of claim 317, further comprising, a network
controller configured to use free space optical control signals acting on
the OIU to connect or disconnect the first DCU from the internal network.

319. (canceled)

320. The data center of claim 316, wherein the internal network comprises
one or more virtual LANs linking respective groups of the plurality of
data center units.

321. The data center of claim 320, wherein the one or more virtual LANs
are assigned respective wavelengths for optical signal transmission.

322. The data center of claim 316, wherein a combination of a specific
data processing application and the DCUs running the specific data
processing application is assigned a designated wavelength for mutual
control and/or data signal communications over the internal network.

323. The data center of claim 316, wherein a combination of a specific
data processing application and the DCUs running the specific data
processing application is dynamically assigned a designated wavelength
for mutual control and/or data signal communications over the internal
network.

324. (canceled)

325. The data center of claim 316, wherein a specific DCU is assigned a
discrete set of one or more wavelengths for receiving and/or transmitting
control and/or data signals over the internal network.

326. The data center of claim 316, wherein a communication channel
between a specific pair of DCUs is assigned a discrete set of one or more
wavelengths for transmitting and/or receiving control and/or data signals
over the internal network.

327. (canceled)

328. The data center of claim 316, wherein the internal network comprises
a first network, which is optically isolated from a second network.

329. The data center of claim 316, wherein the internal network comprises
receivers are that are range and/or direction limited and configured to
optically isolate a first network from a second network

335. A data center unit (DCU) comprising: one or more data processing
units that are configured to run a part or all of a data processing
application; and an optical interface unit (OIU) configured to couple the
DCU unit to a network of one or more free space optical communication
links, wherein the network is configured to support multi-wavelength
and/or multi-polarization optical communications over the one or more
links.

336. The data center unit of claim 335, wherein a combination of a
specific data processing application and the DCU running the specific
data processing application is assigned a designated wavelength for
mutual control and/or data signal communications over the network.

337. The data center unit of claim 335, wherein a combination of a
specific data processing application and the DCUs running the specific
data processing application is dynamically assigned a designated
wavelength for control and/or data signal communications over the
network.

338. The data center unit of claim 335, wherein the DCU is assigned a
discrete set of one or more wavelengths for control and/or data signal
transmission over the network.

339. The data center unit of claim 335, wherein the DCU is assigned a
discrete set of one or more wavelengths for receiving or transmitting
control and/or data signals over the network.

340. The data center unit of claim 335, further comprising: a modulator
configured to modulate a raw light beam received from a source external
to the DCU, and to transmit the modulated light beam over the one or more
free space optical communication links.

348. The data center unit of claim 335, further comprising, mobility
elements configured to move the data center unit from a first position to
a second position in the data center.

349. The data center unit of claim 335, wherein the one or more data
processing units are arranged as one or more individual data processing
units and/or in one or more groups as data center bottles, wherein the
data processing units include one or more data processing circuits, and
wherein the data processing circuits include one or more electronic
modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing
assemblies thereof.

350. The data center unit of claim 335, further comprising, an interface
to a network controller that is configured to establish a dynamic link
during data center operations using a search or scanning process.

351-853. (canceled)

854. A method comprising: providing a plurality of data center units
(DCUs), wherein each DCU is configured to run a part or all of one or
more data processing applications; and coupling one of more of the DCUs
to an internal network of one or more free space optical communication
links between the DCUs, wherein the internal network is configured to
support multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical communications
over the links.

855. The method of claim 854, wherein at least a first of the plurality
of DCUs includes an optical interface unit (OIU) configured to connect
the first DCU to the internal network in response to a free space optical
control signal.

856. The method of claim 855, further comprising, providing a network
controller configured to use free space optical control signals acting on
the OIU to connect or disconnect the first DCU from the internal network.

857. (canceled)

858. The method of claim 854, wherein the internal network comprises one
or more virtual LANs linking respective groups of the plurality of data
center units.

859. The method of claim 858, wherein the one or more virtual LANs are
assigned respective wavelengths for optical signal transmission.

860. The method of claim 854, wherein a combination of a specific data
processing application and the DCUs running the specific data processing
application is assigned a designated wavelength for mutual control and/or
data signal communications over the internal network.

861-863. (canceled)

864. The method of claim 854, wherein a communication channel between a
specific pair of DCUs is assigned a discrete set of one or more
wavelengths for transmitting and/or receiving control and/or data signals
over the internal network.

865. The method of claim 854, wherein the internal network comprises a
hierarchy of networks.

866. The method of claim 854, wherein the internal network comprises a
first network, which is optically isolated from a second network.

867. The method of claim 854, wherein the internal network comprises
receivers are that are range and/or direction limited and configured to
optically isolate a first network from a second network

870. The method of claim 854, wherein the internal network comprises a
hierarchy of diverse networks based on wavelengths and/or spatial
diversity.

871. The method of claim 854, wherein the plurality of data center units
comprise one or more of data center bottles and/or data processing units,
wherein the data center bottles include a plurality of data processing
units, wherein the data processing units include one or more data
processing circuits, and wherein the data processing circuits include one
or more electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks
or free standing assemblies thereof.

873. A method for executing a data processing application, comprising: in
a data center unit (DCU), providing one or more data processing units
that are configured to run a part or all of a data processing
application; and providing an optical interface unit (OIU) configured to
couple the DCU unit to a network of one or more free space optical
communication links, wherein the network is configured to support
multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical communications over
the one or more links.

874. The method of claim 873, wherein a combination of a specific data
processing application and the DCU running the specific data processing
application is assigned a designated wavelength for mutual control and/or
data signal communications over the network.

875. The method of claim 873, wherein a combination of a specific data
processing application and the DCUs running the specific data processing
application is dynamically assigned a designated wavelength for control
and/or data signal communications over the network.

876. The method of claim 873, wherein the DCU is assigned a discrete set
of one or more wavelengths for control and/or data signal transmission
over the network.

877. The method of claim 873, wherein the DCU is assigned a discrete set
of one or more wavelengths for receiving control and/or data signals over
the network.

878. The method of claim 873, further comprising: providing a modulator
configured to modulate a raw light beam received from a source external
to the DCU, and to transmit the modulated light beam over the one or more
free space optical communication links.

883. The method of claim 873, further comprising, providing a cooling
unit.

884. The method of claim 873, further comprising, providing a wired,
wireless and/or optical power receiver.

885. The method of claim 873, further comprising, providing a power
storage unit.

886. The method of claim 873, further comprising, providing mobility
elements configured to move the data center unit from a first position to
a second position in the data center.

887. The method of claim 873, wherein the data processing units include
one or more data processing circuits, and wherein the data processing
circuits include one or more electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards,
boards, and/or racks or free standing assemblies thereof.

888. The method of claim 873, further comprising, providing an interface
to a network controller that is configured to establish a dynamic link
during data center operations using a search or scanning process.

889-1138. (canceled)

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates, in general, to data centers, which
are facilities used to house computer systems and associated components,
such as telecommunications and storage systems. In particular, the
application relates to data and signal communications in a data center.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A data center or computer room (also called a server farm) is a
facility or room used to house computer systems and associated components
for companies and organizations. The facility usually includes
environmental controls (air conditioning, fire suppression, etc.),
redundant/backup power supplies, and redundant data communications
connections. Some modern data centers may contain tens of thousands of
computers or servers. Many cables are necessary to connect all the
components and methods to accommodate and organize these have been
devised, such as standard racks to mount equipment, elevated floors, and
cable trays (installed overhead or under the elevated floor).

[0003] Modern data centers may conform to industry design standards (e.g.,
the TIA-942 Telecommunications Infrastructure Standards for Data
Centers). The TIA-942 infrastructure standards set forth, for example,
design considerations for site space and layout and cabling
infrastructure for data centers. However, even in data centers designed
to standards, cabling requirements impose severe constraints the type and
number of components that can be deployed in a give space, and on their
serviceability.

[0004] Consideration is now being given to data center infrastructure. In
particular attention is directed to processing components, communications
links and network architecture in the data center.

[0006] A data center for executing a data processing application includes
processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units,
sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing
application. In the data center, the processing units, sub-units or
servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but
can communicate with each other over optical links or interconnections.

[0007] The processing units, sub-units or servers may, for example, be
arranged in groups, clusters, or "bottles." An exemplary data center
bottle includes a plurality of data processing units (DPUs) coupled to an
optical interface unit (OIU). The data center bottle is configured to be
deployed in a data center having an internal network of one or more free
space optical communication links between a plurality of nodal points
distributed across the data center. The OIU is configured to connect or
disconnect the data center bottle to or from the internal network of one
or more free space optical communication links.

[0009] An exemplary data center bottle includes a plurality of data
processing units (DPUs) coupled to an optical interface unit (OIU). Each
of the DPUs is configured to run a part or all of a data processing
application. The data center bottle is configured to be deployed in a
data center having an internal network of one or more free space optical
communication links between a plurality of nodal points distributed
across the data center, and the OIU is configured to connect or
disconnect the data center bottle to or from the internal network of one
or more free space optical communication links.

[0010] A further exemplary data center includes a plurality of data center
units (DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a part
or all of a data processing application. At least a first of the
plurality of data center units has an optical interface unit (OIU)
responsive to optical control signals. The data center further includes
an internal network of one or more free space optical control and/or data
communication links between nodal points associated with individual DCUs
across the data center, and a network controller configured to connect or
disconnect the plurality of data center units from the internal network.

[0011] In general, the plurality of data center units may include one or
more of data center bottles and/or data processing units. The data center
bottles may include one or more data processing units, which may include
one or more data processing circuits (e.g., electronic modules, boxes,
servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assemblies
thereof). A data center unit of claim 396 may include an internal power
grid configured to distribute power to the one or more of data center
bottles, data processing units and/or data processing circuits therein.

[0012] A still further exemplary data center includes a plurality of data
center units (DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a
part or all of a data processing application. At least one of the DCUs is
a mobile DCU movable between a first and a second location in the region.
The mobile DCU may include a location device (e.g., a location reporter,
a beacon, a tracking unit, and a corner cube, etc.). The data center may
include a tracking device configured to determine a position of the
mobile DCU (e.g., an intra-data-center positioning system, a theodolite,
a total station transit device, electronic distance measuring device or
galvanometer, grids, floor markings, a bar code and/or fiducial readers,
etc.). The data center further includes reconfigurable internal network
of one or more free space optical communication links inter-linking of
one or more of the plurality of DCU, and a network controller configured
to control inter-linking of one or more of the plurality of DCUs
including the mobile DCU at its first and second locations to the
reconfigurable internal network.

[0013] Another exemplary data center includes a plurality of data center
units (DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a part
or all of a data processing application. The data center further includes
an internal network of one or more free space optical communication links
to at least a first of the plurality of data center units, a modulator
co-disposed with the first of the plurality of data center units in the
region, and at least one light beam source disposed external to the first
of the plurality of data center units and configured to provide a raw
light beam to the modulator. The modulator is configured to modulate the
raw light beam and transmit a modulated light beam over the one or more
free space optical communication links.

[0014] An exemplary data center unit (DCU) includes one or more data
processing units that are configured to run a part or all of a data
processing application, and a modulator coupled to the one or more data
processing units. The DCU is configured to be connected to other devices
via a network of one or more free space optical communication links, and
the modulator is configured to modulate a raw light beam received from a
source external to the DCU and to transmit a modulated light beam over
the one or more free space optical communication links.

[0015] A still another exemplary data center includes a plurality of data
center units (DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a
part or all of a data processing application, and at least one of the
DCUs is configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals in
the region over an internal network of one or more free space optical
communication links.

[0016] A yet another exemplary data center includes a plurality of data
center units (DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a
part or all of a data processing application, and at least one DCU
includes an optical receiver having a receiving position. The optical
receiver in its receiving position is configured to receive multiple
optical control and/or data signals over a one or more free space optical
communication links leading to the at least one DCU.

[0017] Another exemplary data center unit (DCU) includes one or more data
one or more data processing units that are configured to run a part or
all of a data processing application, and a transmitter and/or a receiver
coupled to the one or more data processing units. The transmitter is
configured to broadcast optical data signals over a plurality of optical
communication links extending from the DCU, and the receiver is
configured to receive multiple optical control and/or data signals over
one or more free space optical communication links leading to the DCU.

[0018] An additional exemplary data center includes a plurality of data
center units (DCUs). Each DCU is configured to run a part or all of one
or more data processing applications. One of more of the DCUs are coupled
to an internal network of one or more free space optical communication
links between the DCUs, and the internal network is configured to support
multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical communications over
the links.

[0019] A yet another exemplary data center unit (DCU) includes one or more
data processing units that are configured to run a part or all of a data
processing application, and an optical interface unit (OIU) configured to
couple the DCU unit to a network of one or more free space optical
communication links. The network may be configured to support
multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical communications over
the one or more links.

[0020] A different exemplary data center includes a first set of data
center units (DCUs), and a second set of DCUs coupled to the first set of
DCUs via an internal network of one or more optical communication links.
Each DCU is configured to run a part or all of a data processing
application. The internal network includes at least a first network hub
and a second network hub, and the first and second set of DCUs are linked
to the first and second network hubs, respectively, via one or more free
space optical communication links.

[0021] Another exemplary data center bottle includes a data processing
unit having a wired, an optical, a wireless, and/or a microwave power
receiver. The data processing unit may, for example, be configured to run
a part or all of a data processing application using, for example,
optical and/or wireless power received by the power receiver. A yet
different exemplary data center includes a plurality of data center units
(DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a part or all
of a data processing application. Each DCU may include an internal power
grid configured to distribute power to the one or more of data center
bottles, data processing units and/or data processing circuits in the
DCU.

[0022] The data center further includes a power distribution system
configured to distribute optical and/or wireless power to the plurality
of data center units disposed in the region. At least a first of the
plurality of data center units is configured to run its part or all of
the data processing application using optical and/or wireless power
received via the power distribution system.

[0023] A still different exemplary data center includes a plurality of
bottles. Each bottle has one or more data processing units (DPUs)
configured to run a part or all of a data processing application. At
least a first of the plurality of bottles has an optical interface unit
(OIU) configured to connect or disconnect the first bottle to or from an
inter-bottle network of one or more free space optical communication
links between the plurality of bottles in the data center. The one or
more data processing units (DPUs) in the first bottle are communicatively
linked by an intra-bottle network which is optically decoupled from the
inter-bottle network.

[0024] A still another exemplary data center unit (DCU) includes one or
more data processing units (DPUs) that are configured to run a part or
all of a data processing application, and an optical interface unit (OIU)
coupled to the one or more DPUs. The OIU is configured to couple the DCU
to a network of one or more free space optical communication links. For
this purpose, the OIU includes one or more independently steerable light
transmitting elements, independently steerable light redirecting
elements, and/or independently steerable light receiving elements.

[0025] A further different exemplary data center unit (DCU) includes one
or more data processing units (DPUs) that are configured to run a part or
all of a data processing application, and an optical interface unit (OIU)
coupled to the one or more DPUs. The OIU is configured to couple the DCU
to a network of one or more free space optical communication links. The
OIU includes one or more electrooptically steerable elements for
transmitting, redirecting, and/or receiving communications over the free
space optical communication links.

[0026] A different data center includes a plurality of data center units
(DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a part or all
of a data processing application. At least a first of the plurality of
data center units has an optical interface unit (OIU), which is
configured to couple the DCU to an internal network of one or more free
space optical communication links. The OIU may include one or more
independently steerable transmitting elements, independently steerable
redirecting elements, and/or independently steerable receiving elements
for communications over the free space optical communication links. The
OIU may, alternatively or additionally, include one or more
electrooptically steerable elements for transmitting, redirecting, and/or
receiving communications over the free space optical communication links.

[0027] Methods for executing a data processing application involve
providing data center environments and data center components (e.g.,
bottles, units or processing units or circuitry) including stationary or
mobile components, for processing a part or all of the data processing
application. The data center components may include one or more of
electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free
standing assemblies thereof. The methods can include further providing
other data center components (e.g., a cooling unit, a wireless and/or
optical power receiver, a power storage unit and/or a beacon or other
device configured to indicate a location of a data center component, an
external access interface/controller, optical interface unit/network
controller, a router, etc.).

[0028] The methods also provide or involve internal networks of optical
links for communications between various data center bottles, units, or
other components in a data center. The internal networks can involve free
space optical communication links between a plurality of nodal points
distributed across the data center.

[0029] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to
be limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and
features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features of
the solutions will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the
following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] In the accompanying drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
container or bottle coupled to an optical communications interface unit,
in accordance with the principles of the solutions described herein;

[0032]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
deploying a plurality of data center container or bottle that are linked
by an internal network of free space optical communication links, in
accordance with the principles of the solutions described herein;

[0033] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are block diagrams further illustrating the
exemplary data center and the internal network of FIG. 2, in accordance
with the principles of the solutions described herein;

[0034]FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
deploying one or more mobile data center bottles or units, in accordance
with the principles of the solutions described herein;

[0035]FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
unit, which includes a light beam modulator configured to modulate a raw
light beam and to transmit a modulated light beam over a free space
optical communication link, in accordance with the principles of the
solutions described herein;

[0036]FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
deploying one or more of the data center units of FIG. 7, in accordance
with the principles of the solutions described herein;

[0037]FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
deploying one or more of the data center units that are configured to
broadcast optical control and/or data signals over an internal network of
one or more optical communication links, in accordance with the
principles of the solutions described herein;

[0038]FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
unit, which includes a data signal transmitter and/or a receiver coupled
to the one or more data processing units therein, in accordance with the
principles of the solutions described herein;

[0039]FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
unit, which is configured to be deployed in a data center having a
network supporting multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical
communications, in accordance with the principles of the solutions
described herein;

[0040] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
deploying one or more of the data center units of FIG. 10 and/or FIG. 11,
in accordance with the principles of the solutions described herein;

[0041]FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
and an internal network of optical communication links between data
processing units of the data center, in accordance with the principles of
the solutions described herein;

[0042] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
bottle, which includes one or more data processing units coupled to an
optical, microwave and/or wireless power, in accordance with the
principles of the solutions described herein;

[0043] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
deploying one or more of the data center units of FIG. 14, in accordance
with the principles of the solutions described herein.

[0044] FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
deploying one or more bottles having data processing units, an
inter-bottle network of free space optical communication links between
the bottles, and an intra-bottle network of communication links between
the data processing units, in accordance with the principles of the
solutions described herein.

[0046] FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
deploying one or more of the data center units of FIG. 17, in accordance
with the principles of the solutions described herein.

[0047] FIGS. 19-37 are flow diagrams illustrating exemplary methods for
executing a data processing application in a data center or server farm,
in accordance with the principles of the solutions described herein.

[0048]FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center
deploying circuitry to predict or anticipate communication needs between
one or more DCUs in the execution of a data processing application in the
data center, and a network controller that is configured to dynamically
establish free space optical links between the one or more DCUs to meet
the predicted or anticipated communication needs, in accordance with the
principles of the solutions described herein.

[0049] Throughout the figures, unless otherwise stated, the same reference
numerals and characters are used to denote like features, elements,
components, or portions of the illustrated embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar
symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates
otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed
description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other
embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without
departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

[0052] The processing units, sub-units or servers may, for example, be
arranged in groups, clusters, or "bottles." An exemplary data center
bottle includes a plurality of data processing units (DPUs) coupled to an
optical interface unit (OIU). The data center bottle is configured to be
deployed in a data center having an internal network of one or more free
space optical communication links between a plurality of nodal points
distributed across the data center. The OIU is configured to connect or
disconnect the data center bottle to or from the internal network of one
or more free space optical communication links.

[0053] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary data center container or bottle 110
coupled to an optical communications interface unit (OIU) 120. Data
center bottle 110 includes a plurality of data processing units (DPUs)
130. The DPUs may be servers, computers, electronic modules, boxes,
servers, cards, boards, racks and/or other processing circuitry. Each DPU
130 may be configured to run or process a part or all of a data
processing application. Data center bottle 110 may be configured to be
deployed in a data center having an internal network of one or more free
space optical communication links (e.g., links 140) between a plurality
of nodal points 150 distributed across the data center. Data center
bottle 110 may include control circuitry configured to supervise
operations of the OIU 120 and/or other data processing unit components
(e.g., cooling unit 112, energy storage battery 113. wireless power
receiver 114, and motion mechanism 115).

[0054] Data center bottle 110 may include an intra-bottle communications
network 142 of data and/or control signal links interconnecting DPUs 130
in the bottle. The intra-bottle communications network may utilize one or
more of wires, conductors, transmission lines, optical fibers,
electromagnetic waveguides, free space optical and/or free space
electromagnetic wave links for data and/or control signals between the
DPUs. Further, OIU 120 may be configured to connect the intra-bottle
communications network 142 to the internal network of one or more free
space optical communication links.

[0055] OIU 120 may include suitable optical devices (e.g., a light beam
transmitter, pass-through device, and/or a receiver, a beam splitter or
beam former, an optical beam generator, a beam-forming circuitry, an
optical signal receiver/detector, an optical beam modulator, an optical
beam director, a steerable optical element, an electrical-to-optical
signal convertor, an optical-to-electrical signal converter, electrical
and/or optical switchgear, coupling optics, etc.) to send and/or receive
data or other optical signals over links 140. OIU 120 may also include
suitable scanning and alignment mechanisms and control circuitry for the
various electro-mechanical or electro-optical devices therein. Further,
OIU 120 may be configured to connect or disconnect the data center bottle
to or from the internal network of one or more free space optical
communication links 140, for example, under free space optical signal
control. For this purpose, OIU 120 may include any suitable arrangement
(e.g., opto-mechanical and/or opto-electric transducers) responsive to
optical signal control to connect or disconnect the data processing
bottle to or from the internal network. The free space optical control
signal may, for example, be transmitted over a control portion of
internal network link 140 or other link (e.g., directly) from a
controller.

[0056] Data center bottle 110 may be free-standing, i.e. operable without
being physically connected to external power or utility sources. Data
center bottle 110 may have optional internal power and utility sources,
which allow bottle 110 to operate independently of fixed or wired utility
or power connections. For example, data center bottle 110 may optionally
include one or more of an internal cooling unit 112, an energy storage
battery 113, and a wireless and/or optical power receiver 114. Cooling
unit 112, which may utilize refrigerants, cryogens, and/or air or liquid
coolants, may be configured to cool one or more data center components.
Energy storage battery 113, which may be a rechargeable battery, may be
configured to supply power to one or more data center components for
their operation. Like wise, wireless and/or optical power receiver 114
may be configured receive "cable free" power for the operation of bottle
110 components.

[0057] Data center bottle 110 may further include a motion mechanism 115
(e.g., a set of motorized wheels) that allows data center bottle 110 to
move, for example, from one location to another location in a data
center. Data center bottle 110 may be configured to operate (i.e. process
data) even while in motion. Data center bottle 110 may include a
location-indicating beacon which indicates a location and/or orientation
of the data center bottle. The beacon may be a part of OIU 120 or be a
separate unit.

[0058] FIGS. 2-5 show an exemplary data center 200 in which a plurality of
data center units (DCUs) disposed in a space or region. With reference to
FIG. 2, each DCU may include one or more of data center bottles, data
processing units, data processing circuits, electronic modules, boxes,
servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assemblies thereof
The DCUs may, for example, include one or more data center bottles 110.
Each DCU in data center 200 may configured to run a part or all of a data
processing application. Further, at least a first of the plurality of
data center units may have an optical interface unit (e.g., OIU 120)
responsive to optical control signals. The optical interface unit may
include one or more of an optical beam generator, a beam-forming
circuitry, an optical signal receiver, an optical signal pass-through
device and/or an optical-to-electrical signal converter. One or more of
the DCUs in data center 200 may include an optional wireless, microwave
and/or optical power receiver and/or a cooling unit. Further, one or more
of the DCUs in data center 200 may be mobile DCUs, which can be moved
from one location to another location in data center 200. The mobile DCU
may include a location device (e.g., a location reporter, a beacon, a
tracking unit, and a corner cube, etc.). The data center may include a
tracking device configured to determine a position of the mobile DCU
(e.g., an intra-data-center positioning system, a theodolite, a total
station transit device, electronic distance measuring device or
galvanometer, grids, floor markings, a bar code and/or fiducial readers,
etc.).

[0059] Data center 200 may include monitoring/sensing and/or balancing
mechanisms 265 (e.g., tracks, runners, guides, sensors,
location-indicators, bar code or identification readers, power sources,
locking mechanisms, etc.) to facilitate movement of mobile DCUs from one
location to another location in data center 200. One or both of the
locations may be "service" locations at which the mobile DCU is supplied
with, for example, power, coolants and/or other utilities. For this
purpose, data center 200 may include, for example, power control and
supply circuitry 266. Power control and supply circuitry may include, for
example, one or more suitable power supply transceivers 264 disposed at
suitable locations in data center to dispense power to mobile DCUs. An
exemplary power supply transceiver 264 may, for example, deliver power to
storage battery 113 via a physical contact connection. Power supply
transceiver 264 may, alternatively or additionally deliver power to
wireless power receiver 114 via inductive coupling. Data center 1500 may
also include a cooling control/power mechanism 267 coupled to one or more
of the DCUs to supply coolants and/or power to cooling unit 112 in a DCU.

[0060] The plurality of DCUs in data center 200 may be electrically
disjoint for data communications. The plurality of DCUs processing or
running parts of the data processing application may be in communication
with each other only optically (or wirelessly). Data center 200 includes
an internal network 220 of one or more free space optical control and/or
data communication links (140) between nodal points (150) across the data
center. Internal network 220 may include an optical arrangement
configured to redirect light from a first nodal point 150 to a second
nodal point 150. The optical arrangement may include an arrangement of
discrete mirrors, diffractive elements, and/or reflectors configured to
redirect light from a first nodal point to a second nodal point in the
internal network. Each link 140 in internal network 220 may include
separate or common information and control signal bands.

[0061] Data center 200 further includes a network controller 210, which
configured to connect or disconnect the plurality of data center units
from the internal network. Network controller 210 may be configured to
control the optical interface units of the DCUs using optical, electrical
and/or electromagnetic signals. For example, network controller 210 may
be configured to control the optical interface units of the DCUs with
free space optical control signals. The free space optical control
signals may propagate, for example, on a control band of a link 140 to an
OIU 120. Further, network controller 210 may be configured to reposition
a mobile DCU in data center 200 to establish the one or more free space
optical communication links 140 in internal network 220. Network
controller 210 may reposition the mobile DCU, for example, in response to
a data center application demand, a data center process value and/or an
external process value or command.

[0062] One or more nodal points 150 in internal network 220 may be
associated with individual DCUs in data center 200. At least one nodal
point 150 may correspond to the first of the plurality of data center
units' OIU. Further, at least one nodal point 150 may be external to the
plurality of data center units in data center 200. For example, a nodal
point 150 may be associated with network controller 210. Another nodal
point 150 may be associated with an external network access interface
240, which provides external network access to data center data center
200. Further, for example, nodal points 150 may be associated with
passive or active optical structures 230 disposed on walls or between
DCUs in data center 200. Each nodal point 150 in internal network 220 may
include passive or active optical structures or elements that are
configurable to establish the one or more free space optical
communication links 140. The optical structures or elements may, for
example, include one or more of a reflecting mirror, a steerable
telescope, a hemispherical lens, an optical router, an optical-optical
switch, an opto-electronic switch, electronic switch an optical beam
generator, an optical signal modulator, an optical frequency convertor,
an electric-to optical convertor, an optical-to-electric convertor, an
electro-optical beam steering element, an acoustic-optical beam steering
element, a diffractive beam steering element, and/or a mechanically
steerable optical element.

[0063] In general, one or more nodal points 150, which may be interposed
at locations remote to DCUs 110, may include a reconfigurable nodal
point. Like OIU 120, the reconfigurable nodal point may include a passive
or an active optical arrangement 510 of one or more optical elements
(e.g., a mirror, a steerable mirror, a modulator, a switch, a receiver, a
transmitter, and/or a receiver-transmitter) (FIG. 5). The optical
elements (e.g., a fixed or steerable mirror disposed at any one of a data
center region wall, ceiling, floor, and/or boundary) may be configured to
redirect an optical beam incident from a first nodal point 150 in the
network 220 to one or more other nodal points 150. The optical elements
may include an arrangement of discrete mirrors and/or reflectors
configured to redirect light from a first nodal point to a second nodal
point in the internal network. The discrete mirrors and/or reflectors may
be optically steerable.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 5, in an exemplary data center 200, where
the plurality of DCUs are disposed in a multiplicity of rows, optical
arrangement 510 may include one or more mirror strips disposed about
parallel to a first of the multiplicity of rows of the DCUs. The mirror
strips may be disposed over the multiplicity of rows. A mirror strip
disposed over a first row may, for example, be configured to redirect
light from a first nodal point to a second nodal point in the same row.
Further, for example, a mirror strip over a first row may be configured
to redirect light from a first nodal point in the first row to a second
nodal point in a second row that is separated from the first row by an
odd number of rows. Alternatively or additionally, optical arrangement
510 may include a mirror strip over an open space adjacent to a first row
configured to redirect light from a first nodal point in the first row to
a second nodal point in a second row that is separated from the first row
by an even number of rows. Optical arrangement 510 may include mirror
strips may be disposed at a substantial angle [e.g., of about 45 degrees]
to a first of the plurality of rows of the DCUs and configured to
redirect light from a first nodal point in a first row to a second nodal
point at about the end of the first row. Optical arrangement 510 may
further include structures, blockers, screens and/or baffles to block
stray light. An optical arrangement 510 may itself form a nodal point 150
of first nodal point 150 in the network 220.

[0065] In an implementation of data center 200, internal network 220 may
include one or more free space optical control and/or data communication
links 140 between N nodal points (A, B, C . . . ) across the data center
region. The N nodal points may include one or more nodal points
corresponding to individual DCUs connected to the internal network and/or
one or more nodal points disposed at locations that are remote with
respect to the individual DCUs. The free space optical control and/or
data communication links 140 may be preset or reconfigurable during data
center operations. Further, links 140 between the N nodal points (A, B, C
. . . ) may be direct or indirect. Network controller 210 may include a
router disposed at a remote nodal point A external to the plurality of
DCUs. The router may be configured to establish the one or more free
space optical control and/or data communication links between nodal
points (B, C . . . ). An exemplary router, which may include an
electro-optical deflector, may be configured to switch a B-to-A link to
an A-to-C link. The router may, additionally or alternatively, be
arranged to pre-establish the one or more free space optical control
and/or data communication links between the nodal points (A, B, . . . )
based on a pointing table. The router may be configured to establish or
one-to-many links between the nodal points (A, B, . . . ) and/or N-to-N
connectivity between the nodal points (A, B, . . . ). The router may
establish N-to-N connectivity between the nodal points (A, B, . . . ) by
establishing one-to many links from a nodal point A to M other nodal
points, where M<N.

[0066] One or more free space optical communication links 140 in internal
network 220 may be preset for data center 200 operations. Additionally or
alternatively, one or more links 140 may be a dynamic link establishable
during data center operations, for example, under the supervision of
network controller 210 and/or a DCU's OIU (e.g., OIU 120). Network
controller 210 and/or OIU 120 may be configured to establish the dynamic
link during data center operations using, for example, using a search or
scanning process to identify appropriate nodal points 150. Further,
network controller 210 and/or OIU 120 may be configured to establish the
dynamic link during data center operations in response to a data center
process value and/or an external process value or command.

[0067] One or more free space optical communication links 140 in internal
network 220 across the data center 200 may be nodal point -to-nodal point
link and/or a nodal point-to-multinodal point link. Links 140 may include
links between a DCU and its neighbors according to a specified hierarchy.
For example, the links may be arranged to include links between a DCU and
its proximate or nearest neighbors or only between a DCU and its next
nearest neighbor, etc.

[0068] One or more free space optical communication links 140 may have low
and high bandwidth channels. The low bandwidth channels may, for example,
be RF communication channels and the high bandwidth channels may, for
example, be optical wavelength communication channels. Internal network
220 may be configured to send, for example, instructions, status
information, sensor data and/or other low payload signals over the low
bandwidth channels and application data and/or other high payload signals
over the high bandwidth channels. Internal network 220 may, for example,
be configured to respectively send low payload and high payload signals
over the low and high bandwidth channels in parallel.

[0069] Optical communication links 140 in internal network 220 may be
arranged in a bus, a star, a ring and/or a hybrid topology. Further,
internal network 220 may include internal buffers (270) configured to
compensate for link path-length differences. Internal network 220 may be
configured so that at least two of the optical communication links have
equal lengths. Exemplary internal network 220 of optical data
communication links 140 may include tunable and/or fixed-type add-drops,
skip-routed rings and/or quartile rings. The network may be further
configured to provide expander-graph type redundant interconnectivity
(e.g., redundant meshes operating at a number of discrete wavelengths)
between the DCUs.

[0070] With reference to FIG. 3, which shows further features of data
center 200, in an exemplary internal network 220, DCU-DCU optical
communication links 140 may be arranged so that at least a first group of
DCU-DCU links (>2 links) passes through a first hub 310. One or more
links 140 to hub 310 may have multiple distinct wavelength channels. A
selection of the group of data center units linked to the first hub may
be dynamic. Hub 310 may include an N×N switch operable to
interconnect the group of data center units. Alternatively of
additionally hub 310 may include a lambda-router. Internal network 220
may include one or more central hubs (e.g., hub 310). Exemplary internal
network 220 may further include an arrangement of links from a first sub
hub 312 to a selected grouping of data center units and links from the
first sub-hub 312 to the first hub 310, a second sub-hub 312 and/or other
DCU. The selected grouping of data center units linked to the first sub
hub may be dynamic. Data center 200.may include suitable switches
operable to connect the selected grouping of data center units to the
hub, the second sub-hub and/or the other data center unit.

[0071] Exemplary hub 310 and/or sub hub 312 may include a hologram, which
is configured to redirect one or more incident light beams according to a
predefined routing. The predefined routing may be digitally written in
the hologram, for example, before or during data center operation.

[0072] With reference to FIG. 4, data center 200 may further include a
router (240) configured to route data between the DCUs over the one or
more free space optical communication links 140 (FIG. 4). Router 240 may,
for example, be a passive router, an active router, a mirror assembly, a
holographic reflector, an optical switch, and/or a receiver/transmitter
with electronic switching. Router 240 may be configured to use logical
addressing for routing data between the data center units and may route
data to one or more mailboxes in lieu of a physical address. Router 240
may be configured to map data to and/or from the one or more mailboxes
242 to one or more of the DCUs. One or more mailboxes 242 may correspond
to one or more different data center applications and/or data center
units. Mailboxes 242 may be dynamically assignable during data center
operations to one or more different data center applications and/or DCUs.

[0073] Data center 200 may further include an access interface 250
coupling the data center to the external network (FIG. 4). Access
interface 250 may include one or more optical elements configured to link
the external network to internal network 220 of the one or more free
space optical communication links 140. The one or more optical elements
comprise at least one of a reflecting mirror, a steerable telescope, a
hemispherical lens, an optical-optical switch, an opto-electronic switch,
electronic switch an optical beam generator, an optical signal modulator,
an optical frequency convertor, an electric-to optical convertor, an
optical-to-electric convertor, an electro-optical beam steering element,
an acoustic-optical beam steering element, a diffractive beam steering
element, and/or a mechanically steerable optical element.

[0074] A network access controller 260, which may be internal or external
to data center 200, may be arranged to interface data center 200 to an
external data network (e.g. via access interface 250). Network access
controller 260 may be arranged to communicate data to and/or from a first
of the plurality of the data center units over a free space optical
control and/or data communication link. A nodal point 150 in internal
network 220 may correspond to the network access controller 260 arranged
to interface data center 200 to an external data network. Like internal
network controller 210, network access controller 260 may include one or
more optical elements (e.g., a reflecting mirror, a steerable telescope,
a hemispherical lens, an optical-optical switch, an opto-electronic
switch, electronic switch an optical beam generator, an optical signal
modulator, an optical frequency convertor, an electric-to optical
convertor, an optical-to-electric convertor, an electro-optical beam
steering element, an acoustic-optical beam steering element, a
diffractive beam steering element, and/or a mechanically steerable
optical element).

[0075] With further reference to FIG. 5, data center 200 may optionally
include a cooling arrangement 252 coupled to one or more of the plurality
of DCUs disposed in the region. Cooling arrangement 252 may, for example,
be based on a spray, blown air/gas, and/or a LN2 coolant. Data center 200
also may optionally include an optical power receiver, a wired power
receiver, a wireless power receiver and/or a microwave power receiver.

[0076]FIG. 6 shows another exemplary data center 600. Data center 600 may
include a plurality of data center units (DCUs) 610 disposed in data
center region. Each DCU 610 may be configured to run a part or all of a
data processing application. A DCU 610 may be one of an electronic
module, box, server, cards, board, and/or rack or a free standing
assembly thereof. The plurality of DCUs 610 may include one or more
optical interface units (e.g., OIU 120). The optical interface units,
like OIU 120, may include at least one of an optical beam generator, a
beam-forming circuitry, an optical signal receiver, and an
optical-to-electrical signal converter. At least one of the DCUs may be a
mobile DCU 612 movable between a first location A and a second location B
in the data center region. A DCU 610/612 may include a cooling unit.

[0077] Data center 600 further includes a reconfigurable internal network
620 of one or more free space optical communication links inter-linking
of one or more of the plurality of DCUs, and an internal network
controller 630 configured to control inter-linking of one or more of the
plurality of DCUs 610 including mobile DCU 612 at its first and second
locations to the reconfigurable internal network 620. Mobile DCU 612 may
include a power and/or utility receiver (e.g., a wireless power receiver
114 and/or a microwave power receiver), which is configured to be coupled
to, for example, a power supply at the first location.

[0078] A nodal point in reconfigurable internal network 620 may correspond
to the optical interface unit of a first of the plurality of DCUs. A
nodal point in reconfigurable internal network may be external to the
plurality of data center units. A further nodal point may correspond to a
network access controller (e.g., controller 260) arranged to interface
the data center to an external data network. Each nodal point in
reconfigurable internal network 620 may include one or more optical
elements that are configurable to establish the one or more free space
optical communication links. The optical elements may include one or more
of a reflecting mirror, a steerable telescope, a hemispherical lens, an
optical router, an electro-optical beam steering element, and/or a
mechanically steerable optical element.

[0079] The links in reconfigurable internal network 620 may include free
space optical communication links that are preset and/or dynamic links
establishable during operation of the data center. Further, links may
include nodal point-to-nodal point and/or a nodal point-to-multinodal
point free space optical communication links. The links may be arranged
according to a specified hierarchy (e.g., first links between a first of
the plurality of data center units and its nearest or proximate
neighbors).

[0080] Internal network controller 630, which can control inter-linking of
one or more of the plurality of DCUs 610, may be configured to optically
and/or wirelessly control inter-linking of one or more of the plurality
of DCUs 610 including mobile DCU 612 at its first and/or second locations
to the reconfigurable internal network of free space optical
communication links. Like network controller 210 in data center 200,
internal network controller 630 in data center 600 may include or more
optical elements (e.g., a reflecting mirror, a steerable telescope and/or
a hemispherical lens, an electro-optical beam steering element and/or a
mechanically steerable optical element, an optical beam generator, a beam
forming circuitry, an optical signal receiver, and/or an
optical-to-electrical signal converter. Internal network controller 630
may be configured to reposition mobile DCU 612 from the first to the
second location in the region in response to a data center application
demand and/or an external process value or command. Internal network
controller 630 may establish a dynamic link to the mobile DCU during data
center operations using a search or scanning process.

[0081] Data center 600 may further include a router (e.g., router 240)
configured to route data between the data center units over the one or
more free space optical communication links of internal network. The
router may include at least one of a passive router, an active router, a
mirror assembly, a holographic reflector, an optical switch and/or a
receiver/transmitter with electronid switching. Like router 240, the
router in data center 600 may be configured to use logical addressing for
routing data between the data center units. The router may, for example,
route data to one or more mailboxes in lieu of a physical address and map
data to and/or from the one or more mailboxes to a respective one or more
of the plurality of DCUs 610/612. The mailboxes, which may correspond or
be assigned to one or more different data center applications and/or data
center units, may be dynamically assigned during data center operations.

[0082]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary data center unit (DCU) 710, which is
configured to be connected to other devices via a network of one or more
free space optical communication links. DCU 710 may include one or more
data processing units (DPUs) 712 that are configured to run a part or all
of a data processing application, and a light beam modulator 720 coupled
to one or more DPUs 712.

[0083] DPU 712 may include one or more data processing circuits (e.g.,
electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free
standing assemblies thereof). Modulator 720 may be configured to modulate
a raw light beam received from a source internal or external to DCU 710,
and to transmit a modulated light beam over a free space optical
communication link. Modulator 720 may be configured to modulate one or
more of an amplitude, a pulse format, a phase, a frequency and/or
polarization of the raw light beam. Further, DPU 712 may include a
demodulator configured to remove modulation from a modulated light beam.

[0084] DCU 710 may include an optical interface unit (e.g., OIU 120)
configured to connect or disconnect DCU 710 to or from the network under
free space optical signal control. The optical interface unit, like OIU
120, may include opto-mechanical and/or opto-electric transducers
responsive to optical signal control to connect or disconnect the data
processing unit to or from the network, a light beam transmitter,
pass-through device, and/or a receiver, an optical beam generator, a
beam-forming circuitry, an optical signal receiver/detector, and/or an
optical-to-electrical signal converter. Modulator 720 may be internal or
external to optical interface unit.

[0085] DCU 710 may further include control circuitry configured to
supervise operations of the optical interface unit, DPUs 712, modulator
720, and/or additional data center unit components. The additional data
center unit components may, for example, include a cooling unit, a
wireless, microwave, and/or optical power receiver, a power storage unit,
and/or mobility elements configured to move the data center unit from a
first position to a second position in a data center.

[0086]FIG. 8 shows an exemplary data center 800 deploying DCU 710. Data
center 800 may also deploy other types of DCUs (e.g., DCU 110, DCU 610,
DCU 612, etc.). Each DCU may include one or more of electronic modules,
boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assemblies
thereof Each DCU may be configured to run a part or all of a data
processing application.

[0087] Data center 800 may include at least a modulator (e.g., modulator
720) co-disposed with one of the DCUs in the data center. The modulator
may be configured to modulate a raw light beam and transmit a modulated
light beam over the one or more free space optical communication links.
The modulator may be configured to modulate one or more of an amplitude,
a pulse, a format, a phase, a frequency and/or polarization of the raw
light beam. Further, data center 800 may include a demodulator configured
to remove modulation from a modulated light beam.

[0088] Data center 800 may further include a light beam source disposed
external to the first of the plurality of data center units and
configured to provide the raw light beam to the modulator. The light beam
source may be internal or external to a data center region. The light
beam source may, for example, be off-board laser-device. The output of
the light beam source may be piped in to the data center region or to
modulator 720 over free space and/or via an optical fiber. In a version
of data center 800, the light beam source may include a plurality of
light beam generators, which may generate light of different wavelengths.

[0089] Like data centers 200 and 600, data center 800 may include an
internal network (e.g., internal network 220, 620) of one or more free
space optical communication links (e.g., links 140) to at least a first
of the plurality of data center units, a network controller (e.g.,
network controller 210, 630) configured to connect or disconnect the
plurality of data center units from the internal network, and an access
interface/controller (e.g., access interface 240/controller 260) coupling
the data center to an external network.

[0090] Further, like in data centers 200 and 600, each nodal point in the
internal network in data center 800 may include one or more optical
elements that are configurable to establish the one or more free space
optical communication links (e.g., a reflecting mirror, a steerable
telescope, a hemispherical lens, an optical router, an electro-optical
beam steering element, and/or a mechanically steerable optical element).

[0091]FIG. 9 shows another exemplary data center 900 deploying one more
DCUs 910 configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals in
the region over an internal network 920 of one or more optical
communication links. Data center 900 may include various types of DCUs
(e.g., DCU 110, DCU 610, DCU 612, DCU 710, etc.). Each DCU may include
one or more of electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or
racks or free standing assemblies thereof. Each DCU may be configured to
run a part or all of a data processing application. At least a first of
the plurality of DCUs may include an optical interface unit (OIU)
configured to connect the first DCU to the internal network in response
to a free space optical control signal. Internal network 920 in data
center 900, like networks 220 and 620, may include free space optical
communication links (e.g., links 140) between one or more nodes
associated individual DCUs and/or one or more nodes interposed between
the DCUs. Internal network 920 may further include fiber optic links 940
between one or more nodes.

[0092] DCU 910 may include a broadcasting transmitter 930. Broadcasting
transmitter 930 may be configured to broadcast a multiplicity of optical
control and/or data signals simultaneously and/or sequentially to a
plurality of receivers (e.g., OIU 120) in data center 900. A receiver may
be configured to listen to broadcasts from a single transmitter or to
multiple transmitters. In any case, a receiver may be configured to
identify which of the multiplicity of optical control and/or data signals
(messages) are intended for it (the receiver). Conversely, broadcasting
transmitter 930 may include receiver-identifying indicia in its
broadcasted messages. The receiver-identifying indicia included in the
broadcasted signals may, for example, include message headers, signal
wavelength, signal polarization, transmit time slots, and/or any
combination thereof. A receiver may be configured to identify which of
the multiplicity of optical control and/or data signals (messages) are
intended for it by recognizing the receiver-identifying indicia included
in or associated with the broadcasted signals.

[0093] In a version of data center 900, DCU 910/broadcasting transmitter
930 may be configured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or
data signal over the internal network at different wavelengths and/or
polarizations. An intended recipient may be designated by a respective
wavelength and/or polarization. A receiving DCU may be configured to
recognize that it is the intended recipient of a free space optical
control/and or data signal broadcast over the internal network by
recognizing its respective wavelength signal and/or polarization.

[0094] Additionally or alternatively, DCU 910/broadcasting transmitter 930
may be configured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or data
signal over the internal network at different at different transmit time
slots. An intended recipient may be designated by a respective transmit
time slot. A receiving DCU may be configured to recognize that it is the
intended recipient of a free space optical control/and or data signal
broadcast over the internal network by recognizing its respective
transmit time slot.

[0095] Additionally or alternatively, DCU 910/broadcasting transmitter 930
may be configured to broadcast free space optical control/and or data
signals over the internal network with different headers. An intended
recipient may be designated by a respective header. A receiving DCU may
be configured to recognize that it is the intended recipient of a free
space optical control/and or data signal broadcast over the internal
network by recognizing its respective header.

[0096] In a further version of data center 900, one or more DCUs may be
associated with respective identifying-wavelengths, and each transmitting
or sending DCU (e.g., DCU 910) may be configured to broadcast optical
control and/or data signals at its respective identifying-wavelength over
internal network 920. Conversely, a receiving DCU interfaced with the
internal network may be configured to identify a sending DCU by the
identifying-wavelength of the optical control and/or data signals
broadcast by the sending DCU. Alternatively or additionally, one or more
DCUs may be associated with respective signal polarization, and each
transmitting or sending DCU may be configured to broadcast optical
control and/or data signals at its respective signal polarization.
Conversely, a receiving DCU interfaced with the internal network may be
configured to identify a sending DCU by the polarity of its broadcasted
optical control and/or data signals.

[0097] One or more DCUs in data center 900 (e.g., DCU 910) may be
configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals over at least
a color region (˜1% wide frequency region). The color region may be
a color region at about 1.44, 1.47, or 1.55 microns wavelength. In an
exemplary implementation of data center 900, a multiplicity of the DCUs
may be configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals over
of two or more color regions. In an additional or alternate
implementation, a first of the plurality of DCUs may be configured to
broadcast a free space optical control/and or data signal in which an
intended recipient may, for example, be designated by a respective
transmit time slot in the signal. Conversely, a receiving DCU may be
configured to recognize that it is the intended recipient of the
broadcasted signal by recognizing its respective transmit time slot in
the signal.

[0098] In a further exemplary implementation of data center 900, a
multiplicity of the DCUs may be associated with a respective combination
of identifying-wavelengths and time slots, and the multiplicity of the
data center units may be configured to broadcast optical control and/or
data signals with their respective combination of identifying-wavelengths
and time slots. Conversely, a receiving DCU may be configured to identify
a sending DCU by recognizing the sending DCU's respective combination of
the identifying-wavelengths and time slots.

[0099] In yet another exemplary implementation of data center 900, a
multiplicity of the data center units may be associated with respective
identifying-wavelengths, and the multiplicity of the data center units
may configured to simultaneously broadcast optical control and/or data
signals at their respective identifying-wavelengths over the internal
network. A receiving DCU may include a suitable detector 950 configured
to wavelength-demultiplex a received optical control and/or data signal.
Detector 950 may, for example, include an array of photodiodes operating
at different wavelengths and an optional buffer to buffer the
wavelength-demultiplexed signal.

[0100]FIG. 10 shows another exemplary data center unit (DCU) 1010, which
may be deployed, for example, in the data centers 200, 600, 800 and 900
described hereto or in any other data center. DCU 1010, like DCUs 110,
610 and 710, may include one or more data processing units (e.g., data
processing units 712, electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards,
and/or racks or free standing assemblies thereof) that are configured to
run a part or all of a data processing application. DCU 1010 may also
include an optical interface unit (e.g., OIU 120) configured to connect
the DCU to a network of optical communication links including the
plurality of optical communication links extending from and leading to
the DCU.

[0101] DCU 1010 further includes a transmitter 1030 and/or a receiver 1032
coupled to the one or more data processing units. Transmitter 1030 and
receiver 1032 may have a transmitting position and a receiving position,
respectively.

[0102] Transmitter 1030 in its transmitting position may be configured to
broadcast optical control and/or data signals over a plurality of optical
communication links extending from the DCU in its transmitting position.
The broadcasted optical control and/or data signals may be over one or
more color regions. A color region (e.g., ˜1% wide frequency
region) may, for example, be a color region at about 1.44, 1.47, or 1.55
microns wavelength.

[0103] Transmitter 1030 in its transmitting position may be configured to
broadcast configured to broadcast a multiplicity of optical control
and/or data signals simultaneously and/or sequentially to a plurality of
receivers. DCU 1010/transmitter 1030 may be associated with
DCU/transmitter-identifying indicia that may be included in its
broadcasted messages. The DCU/transmitter-identifying indicia included in
or associated with the broadcasted signals may, for example, include
message headers, signal wavelength, signal polarization, transmit time
slots, angle of transmission, and/or any combination thereof.

[0104] For example, DCU 1010 may be associated with an
identifying-wavelength, and transmitter 1030 in its transmitting position
may be configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals at the
DCU's identifying-wavelength. Alternatively or additionally, DCU 1010 may
be associated with a signal polarity, and transmitter 1030 in its
transmitting position may be configured to broadcast optical control
and/or data signals at the DCU's identifying-signal polarity. In case,
DCU 1010 is associated with a combination of identifying-wavelengths and
time slots, transmitter 1030 in its transmitting position may be
configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals with the data
center unit's combination of identifying-wavelengths and time slots.

[0105] Receiver 1032 in its receiving position may be configured to
receive multiple optical control and/or data signals over one or more
free space optical communication links leading to the DCU. Receiver 1032
may further be configured to identify a sending DCU by recognizing the
DCU/transmitter-identifying indicia included or associated with the
received signals. For example, receiver 1032 may be configured to
identify a sending DCU by recognizing an identifying-wavelength of the
optical control and/or data signals broadcast by the sending DCU.
Receiver 1032 may be additionally or alternatively configured to identify
a sending DCU by recognizing other sending-DCU identifying indicia (e.g.,
identifying-polarization, identifying-transmit time slots, angular
direction) of the optical control and/or data signals transmitted by the
sending DCU. In case, DCU 1010 or other sending DCUs are associated with
a combination of identifying-wavelengths and time slots, receiver 1032 in
its receiving position may be configured to recognize a sending DCU by
recognizing the combination of the identifying-wavelengths and time slots
associated with the sending DCU. Further, an exemplary receiver 1032 may
be configured to recognize a sending DCU by recognizing an angular
direction of a received signal. Receiver 1032 may include an imaging
device for this purpose.

[0106] In a version of DCU 1010, receiver 1032 also may be additionally or
alternatively configured to recognize that it is an intended recipient of
a free space optical control/and or data signal by recognizing
receiver-identifying indicia (e.g., its respective transmit time slot) in
the signal. Transmitter 1030 in its transmitting position may be
configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals so that
intended recipient/receiver 1032 is designated by a respective transmit
time slot in the signal.

[0107] Receiver 1032 in its receiving position may be configured to
wavelength-demultiplex received optical control and/or data signals
using, for example, an array of photodiodes operating at different
wavelengths. Receiver 1032 may include a buffer configured to hold or
buffer the wavelength-demultiplexed signal.

[0108]FIG. 11 shows yet another exemplary data center unit (DCU) 1110,
which may be deployed, for example, in a data center having a network
supporting multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical
communications or other suitable data centers (e.g., data centers 200,
600, 800 and 900). DCU 1110, like DCUs 110, 610, 710, and 1010, may
include one or more data processing units (e.g., data processing units
712, data processing circuits, electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards,
boards, and/or racks or free standing assemblies thereof) that are
configured to run a part or all of a data processing application. DCU
1110 may also include an optical interface unit (OIU) 1120 configured to
connect the DCU to a network of optical communication links including the
plurality of optical communication links extending from and leading to
the DCU. OIU 1120 may be configured to connect DCU 1110 to a network
supporting multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical
communications.

[0109] OIU 1120, like OIU 120 may include opto-mechanical, opto-acoustic,
and/or opto-electric transducers responsive to optical signal control to
connect or disconnect the data processing unit to or from the network, a
light beam transmitter, pass-through device, and/or a receiver, an
optical beam generator, a beam-forming circuitry, an optical signal
receiver/detector, and/or an optical-to-electrical signal converter.
Modulator 720 may be internal or external to OIU 1120. The optical
elements of OIU 1120 may be configured for multi-wavelength and/or
multi-polarization optical communications by DCU 1110 over the network.
OIU 1120 may have a responsive interface to a network controller, which
is configured to establish a dynamic link during data center operations,
for example, using a search or scanning process.

[0110] A combination of DCU 1110 and a specific data processing
application running on DCU 1110 may be assigned a designated wavelength
or discrete set of wavelengths for mutual data communications over the
network. The designated wavelength or wavelengths may be assigned
dynamically. A discrete set of one or more wavelengths may be assigned
for data transmissions by DCU 1110. The same or other discrete set of one
or more wavelengths may be assigned for receipt of data by DCU 1110.

[0111] FIG. 12 shows another exemplary data center 1200 deploying one or
more DCUs and/or one or more DCUs 1010 and/or DCUs 1110. Data center 1200
may also deploy other types of data center units (e.g., DCUs 110, 610,
and 710). Each DCU may include one or more of electronic modules, boxes,
servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or freestanding assemblies thereof.
Each DCU may be configured to run a part or all of a data processing
application. A DCU (e.g., DCU 1010) in data center 1200 may include an
optical receiver configured to receive multiple optical control and/or
data signals over one or more free space optical communication links
leading to the DCU. The optical receiver (e.g., receiver 1032) in its
receiving position may receive the multiple optical control and/or data
signals over a corresponding multiplicity of free space optical
communication links leading to the at least one DCU simultaneously and/or
sequentially. The optical receiver may be configured to receive optical
control and/or data signals over at least a color region (˜1% wide
frequency region). Exemplary color regions may be regions at about 1.44,
1.47, and 1.55 microns wavelengths. In an implementation of data center
1200, the optical receiver in its receiving position may be configured to
receive optical control and/or data signals over of two or more color
regions.

[0112] The various DCUs in data center 1200 may be linked by an internal
communications network 1220, which includes one or more free space
optical communication links leading to at least one DCU. At least a first
of the plurality of DCUs may include an optical interface unit (OIU)
configured to connect the first DCU to an internal network 1220 in
response to a free space optical control signal. Internal network 1220 in
data center 1200, like networks 220 and 620, may include free space
optical communication links (e.g., links 140) between one or more nodes
associated individual DCUs and/or one or more nodes interposed between
the DCUs. Internal network 1220 may further include fiber optic links 940
between one or more nodes. Data center 1200 may include a network
controller configured to supervise connecting and/or disconnecting
individual DCUs from internal network 1220 (e.g., by acting on the OIU
via interface 1140).

[0114] Internal network 1220 may be arranged to include one or more
virtual local area networks (LANs) linking respective groups DCUs. The
one or more virtual LANs may be assigned respective wavelengths for
optical signal transmission. Likewise, a specific data processing
application and the DCUs running the specific data processing application
may be assigned a designated wavelength for mutual data communications
over internal network 1220. The wavelength assignments may be preset or
dynamic. A specific DCU may be assigned discrete set of wavelengths for
data transmission and/or data receiving over internal network 1220.

[0115] Further, internal network 1220 may be arranged in a hierarchy of
networks. An hierarchy of diverse networks may, for example, be based on
wavelengths and/or spatial diversity. Internal network 1220 may, for
example, include a first network, which is optically isolated from a
second network. For this purpose, data center 1200/internal network 1220
may include receivers that are range and/or direction limited and
configured to optically isolate the first network from the second
network. The isolated first and second networks may, for example, include
an optically isolated wavelength-addressed n×n network, a
wavelength-addressed 32×32 network.

[0116] One or more DCUs in data center 1200 may be associated with
respective identifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities, and the DCUs
may be configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals at
their respective identifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities.
Conversely, a DCU's optical receiver may be configured to identify a
sending DCU by the identifying-wavelength and/or signal polarity of the
optical control and/or data signals broadcast by the sending DCU.

[0117] Further, one or more DCUs in data center 1200 may be configured to
broadcast free space optical control/and or data signals. A DCU may be
configured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or data signal
in which an intended recipient is designated by a respective transmit
time slot in the signal. Conversely, a DCU's optical receiver may be
configured to recognize that it is the intended recipient of the free
space optical control/and or data signal broadcast by recognizing its
respective transmit time slot in the signal. Further, a multiplicity of
DCUs may be associated with a respective combination of
identifying-wavelengths and/or time slots, and configured to broadcast
optical control and/or data signals with their respective combination of
identifying-wavelengths and time slots. Conversely, a DCU's optical
receiver may be configured to identify a sending DCU by recognizing the
sending DCU's respective combination of the identifying-wavelengths
and/or time slots.

[0118] The multiplicity of DCUs associated with respective
identifying-wavelengths may be configured to simultaneously broadcast
optical control and/or data signals at the DCUs respective
identifying-wavelengths over an internal network of one or more free
space optical communication links. Conversely, a DCU's optical receiver
may be configured to wavelength-demultiplex and optionally buffer a
received optical control and/or data signal. For this purpose, the DCU's
optical receiver may include suitable demultiplexing circuitry, (e.g., an
array of photodiodes operating at different wavelengths) and a buffer for
the wavelength-demultiplexed signals. A communication link or channel
between a specific pair of DCUs may be assigned a discrete set of
wavelengths for transmitting and/or receiving control and/or data signals
over the internal network.

[0119] In a version of data center 1200, a plurality of M broadcasting
transmitters (e.g., transmitters 1030) and a plurality of N optical
receivers (e.g., receivers 1032) may be associated with the plurality of
DCUs in the data center. Each of the M broadcasting transmitters may be
configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals
simultaneously and/or sequentially to plurality of N optical receivers.
Each of the M broadcasting transmitters may be configured to broadcast
optical control and/or data signals to the each of the N optical
receivers over an internal network of separate free space optical
communication links that form M×N distinct communication channels
between pairs of the M broadcasting transmitters and the N optical
receivers in the region. Each of the M×N distinct communication
channels maybe assigned distinct channel-identifying indicia (e.g.,
signal wavelength and/or polarization, transmit time slots, headers,
and/or any combination thereof, etc.). The transmitter and receiver pair
associated with the channel may be respectively configured to transmit
and receive optical control and/or data signals having the
channel-identifying indicia (e.g. signal wavelength and/or polarization,
transmit time slots, headers, and/or any combination thereof, etc.).

[0120]FIG. 13 shows another exemplary data center 1300 deploying one or
more DCUs (e.g., DCUs 110, 610, 710, 1010 and 1110, or other DCUs), which
are linked by an internal network 1320 of optical communication links.
Internal communication network 1320 may include one or more central hubs
(1322, 1324) and/or sub-hubs (1326).

[0121] Each DCU may be configured to run a part or all of a data
processing application. The DCUs may be arranged in sets, e.g., a first
set (Set 1) and a second set (Set 2). The two sets of DCUs may be
communicatively coupled by one or more free space optical communication
links 140 to a first hub 1322 and a second hub 1324, respectively, in
internal communication network 1320. A selection of the sets of DCUs
linked to the first and/or second network hubs may be dynamic. The first
and second hubs themselves may be linked by a free space optical
communication link and/or by a fiber optic link 1340.

[0122] Internal communication network 1320 may further include an
arrangement of links from a first sub hub 1326 to a selected grouping of
DCUs. The selection of the grouping of DCUs may be preset or dynamic.
Internal communication network 1320 may, for example, further include
links first sub hub 1326 to hubs 1322 and/or 1324, a second sub-hub
and/or other DCU.

[0123] In general, the optical communication links in internal
communication network 1320 may be arranged in a bus, star, ring and/or
hybrid topology. The links may be preset or may be dynamically
establishable. Internal communication network 1320 may be arranged so
that at least two of the optical communication links have equal lengths.
Internal buffers 1328 may be used to compensate for link path-length
differences.

[0124] A hub or sub-hub may include N×N switches operable to
interconnect the set of linked DCUs. A link connected to the hubs may
have multiple distinct wavelength channels, and the hub itself may
include a lambda-router. A hub or sub-hub may, for example, include a
hologram, which is configured to redirect one or more incident light
beams according to a predefined routing. The predefined routing may be
digitally written in the hologram, for example, during data center
operations.

[0126] FIG. 14 shows an exemplary data center bottle 1410, which includes
one or more data processing units 1412 coupled to an optical, microwave
and/or wireless power receiver 1414. Each data processing units 1412 may
include one or more data processing circuits (e.g., electronic modules,
boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assemblies
thereof). Data processing units 1412 may be configured to run a part or
all of a data processing application using optical, microwave and/or
wireless power received by power receiver 1414.

[0127] An exemplary power receiver 1414 may be configured to receive
optical power, for example, over an optical fiber or a free space link
from a power transmitter/source 1468/1466. Such a power receiver 1414 may
include a suitable optical power-to-electricity converter (e.g., a
photo-diode, a silicon photo diode, an III-V photo-diode, and/or a
compound semiconductor photo-diode) to convert received optical power to
electricity. The optical power-to-electricity converter may be configured
to operate at suitable low temperatures (e.g., cryogenic temperatures).

[0128] Another exemplary power receiver 1414 may be configured to receive
wireless power from a wireless power transmitter (e.g., transmitter
1468). Such a power receiver 1414 may be suitably coupled to transmitter
1468 to facilitate power transfer by an electrodynamic inductive effect
or by resonant inductive coupling.

[0129] Another exemplary power receiver 1414 may be configured to receive
microwave power from transmitter 1468 (e.g., a phased array microwave
transmitter, or cavity magnetron). Such a power receiver 1414 may include
a suitable combination antenna and rectifier device to convert microwave
power into electricity.

[0130] Data center bottle 1410 may be configured to be deployable in a
data center that is connected to an external communications network and
has an internal communications network of one or more free space optical
communication links between nodal points (nodes) in the data center.
Further, data center bottle 1410 may include an optical interface unit
(e.g., OIU 120) configured to respond to optical control signals to
connect the bottle to the internal network so that the optical interface
unit corresponds to a nodal point in the internal network and the data
center bottle is arranged to communicate data processing application data
in data center operation over one or more free space optical
communication links. The optical interface unit, like OIU 120, may be
configured to connect or disconnect the data center bottle to or from the
internal network under free space optical signal control. Further, the
optical interface unit, like 01U 120, may include one or more of
opto-mechanical and/or opto-electric transducers responsive to optical
signal control to connect or disconnect the data center bottle to or from
the internal network, a light beam transmitter, pass-through device,
and/or a receiver, an optical beam generator, a beam-forming circuitry,
an optical signal receiver/detector, and/or an optical-to-electrical
signal converter. The optical interface unit may be responsive to a
locating beacon (e.g., at a nodal point 150) to connect or disconnect the
bottle to or from the internal network of one or more free space optical
communication links.

[0131] DCU 1410 may further include suitable control circuitry configured
to supervise operations of the optical interface unit and/or additional
data processing unit components including, for example, an location or
identification beacon, a cooling unit, a wireless and/or optical power
receiver, a power storage unit, and mobility elements configured to move
the data center unit from a first position to a second position in the
data center.

[0132] FIG. 15 shows another exemplary data center 1500 deploying one or
more data center bottles 1410. Data center 1500 may also deploy other
types of data center units (e.g., DCUs 110, 610, 710 and 1110). Each DCU
may include one or more of electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards,
boards, and/or racks or freestanding assemblies thereof. Each DCU may be
configured to run a part or all of a data processing application. Data
center 1500 may further include a power distribution system 1530
configured to distribute optical, microwave and/or wireless power to the
plurality of data center units disposed in the region. One or more of the
DCUs may be configured to run its part or all of the data processing
application using optical, microwave and/or wireless power received via
the power distribution system.

[0133] Power distribution system 1530 may include an optical, microwave
and/or wireless power source 1466. Further, power distribution system
1530 may include one or more suitable optical, microwave and/or wireless
power transmitters 1468 connected to power source 1466, and one or more
suitable power receivers 1414 disposed in data center 1500. A power
receiver 1414 disposed in data center 1500 may receive power over an
optical fiber connection and/or over a free space coupling of the power
receiver with a power transmitter 1468. Power receivers 1414 may include
an optical-to-electric power converter (e.g., a photo-diode, a silicon
photo diode, a III-V photo-diode, and/or a compound semiconductor
photo-diode). The optical-to-electric power converter may operate at
cryogenic temperatures.

[0134] Power receivers 1414 may be co-disposed with the DCUs in the region
(e.g., as in DCU 1410) or disposed at convenient locations in data center
1500 external to a DCU. A power cable 1555 may supply electrical power to
a DCU from an external power receiver 1414. In general, distribution
system 1530 may include one or more optical free space links and/or fiber
optic links configured for off-board communications to and from the
plurality of DCUs in data center 1500 and/or to distribute optical power
to the DCUs.

[0135] Data center 1500 may also include a cooling arrangement 1550
coupled to one or more of the DCUs disposed in data center 1500. Cooling
arrangement 1550 may be based on a spray, blown air/gas, and/or a LN2
coolant.

[0136] The DCUs disposed in data center 1500 may be electrically disjoint
at least for purposes of data communications. Data center 1500 may
include an internal network 1520 of optical data communication links
between nodal points/DCUs across the data center. The optical data
communication links may include free space and/or fiber optic links. Such
an internal network 1520 of optical data communication links may include
tunable and/or fixed-type add-drops, skip-routed rings and/or quartile
rings. Further, internal network 1520 may be configured to provide
expander-graph type redundant interconnectivity between the DCUs
including, for example, redundant meshes operating at a number of
discrete wavelengths.

[0137] FIG. 16 shows another exemplary data center 1600. Data center 1600
may include a one or more bottles 1610 each of which may have one or more
data processing units (DPUs) 1612 (e.g., electronic modules, boxes,
servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assemblies
thereof). Each DPU may be configured to run a part or all of a data
processing application. Data center 1600 may also deploy other types of
data center units (e.g., DCUs 110, 610, 710, 1110, and 1410).

[0138] At least one bottle 1610 may have an optical interface unit (OIU)
1640. OIU 1640, like OIU 120, may be configured to connect or disconnect
the bottle (e.g., in response to optical control signals) to or from an
inter-bottle network 1620 of one or more free space optical communication
links between the plurality of bottles or DCUs in the data center. The
links may be preset or dynamically established during data center
operation. The links may include one or more unipolar, bipolar,
multi-polar, and/or pass-through optical links between the plurality of
bottles. Data center 1600 may include a light-absorbing gas or fluid
arranged to dampen light propagation beyond a connection point or node in
inter-bottle network 1620.

[0139] OIU 1640 may include suitable mechanically and/or electrically
steerable optical elements configured to steer a light beam in a select
direction. An inter-bottle network controller (e.g. network controller
630) coupled to OIU 1640 to supervise its operations to connect or
disconnect the bottle to inter-bottle network 1620. Data center 1600 may
include a beacon assembly or other location-indicating device configured
to locate a connection point for OIU 1640. OIU 1640 may be configured to
be responsive to the locating beacon to connect to connect the bottle to
inter-bottle network 1620 of one or more free space optical communication
links.

[0140] Conversely, one or more data processing units (DPUs) 1612 in a
bottle 1610 may be communicatively linked by an intra-bottle network
1622, which is optically decoupled from the inter-bottle network 1620.
Intra-bottle network 1622 may include any suitable links between DPUs
1612 in the bottle. The links may, for example, include, hardwired
electrical, RF, microwave, fiber optic and/or free space optical links.
In the case of fiber optic and/or free space optical links, inter-bottle
network 1620 and intra-bottle network 1622 may be configured to use
different wavelengths for communication.

[0141] Inter-bottle network 1620, like internal network 1220, may be
configured to support multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical
communications over free space optical communication links. Inter-bottle
network 1620 may be arranged to include one or more virtual local area
networks (LANs) linking respective groups DCUs. The one or more virtual
LANs may be assigned respective wavelengths for optical signal
transmission. Likewise, a specific data processing application and the
DCUs running the specific data processing application may be assigned a
designated wavelength for mutual data communications over internal
network 1620. The wavelength assignments may be preset or dynamic. A
specific DCU may be assigned discrete set of wavelengths for data
transmission and/or data receiving over internal network 1620.

[0142] Further, inter-bottle network 1620, like internal network 1220, may
be arranged in a hierarchy of networks. A hierarchy of diverse networks
may, for example, be based on wavelengths and/or spatial diversity.
Inter-bottle network 1620 may, for example, include a first network,
which is optically isolated from a second network. For this purpose, data
center 1600/inter-bottle network 1620 may include receivers that are
range and/or direction limited and configured to optically isolate the
first network from the second network. The isolated first and second
networks may, for example, include an optically isolated
wavelength-addressed n×n network, and/or a wavelength-addressed
32×32 network.

[0143] One or more DCUs in data center 1600 may be associated with
respective identifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities, and the DCUs
may be configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals at
their respective identifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities.
Conversely, a DCU's optical receiver may be configured to identify a
sending DCU by the identifying-wavelength and/or signal polarity of the
optical control and/or data signals broadcast by the sending DCU.

[0144] Further, one or more DCUs in data center 1600 may be configured to
broadcast free space optical control/and or data signals. A DCU may be
configured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or data signal
in which an intended recipient is designated by a respective transmit
time slot in the signal. Conversely, a DCU's optical receiver may be
configured to recognize that it is the intended recipient of the free
space optical control/and or data signal broadcast by recognizing its
respective transmit time slot in the signal. Further, a multiplicity of
DCUs may be associated with a respective combination of
identifying-wavelengths and/or time slots, and configured to broadcast
optical control and/or data signals with their respective combination of
identifying-wavelengths and time slots. Conversely, a DCU's optical
receiver may be configured to identify a sending DCU by recognizing the
sending DCU's respective combination of the identifying-wavelengths
and/or time slots.

[0145] The multiplicity of DCUs associated with respective
identifying-wavelengths, may be configured to simultaneously broadcast
optical control and/or data signals at the DCUs respective
identifying-wavelengths over one or more free space optical communication
links. Conversely, a DCU's optical receiver may be configured to
wavelength-demultiplex and optionally buffer a received optical control
and/or data signal. For this purpose, the DCU's optical receiver may
include suitable demultiplexing circuitry, (e.g., an array of photodiodes
operating at different wavelengths) and a buffer for the
wavelength-demultiplexed signals.

[0146]FIG. 17 shows exemplary data center bottles 1710 and 1710'. Data
center bottles 1710 and 1710' each include one or more data processing
units 1712 that are configured to run a part or all of a data processing
application. Each data processing unit 1712 may include one or more data
processing circuits (e.g., electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards,
boards, and/or racks or free standing assemblies thereof).

[0147] Further, data center bottles 1710 and 1710' include optical
interface units (OIU) 1720 and 1720', respectively. Each of the OIUs is
coupled to one or more DPUs 1712 in the respective bottles. OIUs 1720 and
1720', like OIU 120, may include suitable optical elements (e.g.,
opto-mechanical, opto-acoustic and/or opto-electric transducers
responsive to optical signal control, a light beam transmitter,
pass-through device, and/or a receiver, an optical beam generator, a
beam-forming circuitry, an optical signal receiver/detector, and/or an
optical-to-electrical signal converter, a reflecting mirror, and/or a
hemispherical lens) to connect or disconnect the data center bottle to or
from a network of optical communication links, for example, under free
space optical signal control. OIUs 1720 and 1720' may be configured to be
responsive to a beacon assembly or other location-indicating device
configured to locate a connection point to connect the bottle to an
network of one or more free space optical communication links.

[0150] Data center bottles 1710 and 1710' may be configured to be deployed
in a data center having an internal network of one or more free space
optical communication links between a plurality of nodal points
distributed across the data center. Data center bottles 1710 and/or 1710'
may include beacons configured to indicate locations of the bottles. Data
center bottles 1710 and/or 1710' may further include suitable control
circuitry configured to supervise operations of OIU 1720 and OIU 1720',
respectively, and/or to supervise operations additional data processing
unit components (e.g., a cooling unit, a wireless, microwave and/or
optical power receiver, a power storage unit, mobility elements
configured to move the data center bottle from a first position to a
second position in the data center).

[0152] Each DCU or bottle in data center 1800 may have one or more data
processing units (DPUs) or data processing circuits (e.g., electronic
modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing
assemblies thereof). Each DPU may be configured to run a part or all of a
data processing application. One or more DCUs in data center 1800 may
have a wireless and/or optical power receiver, and/or a cooling unit.
Like in data center 800, one or more DCUs in data center 1800 may have a
modulator co-disposed with a DCU. The modulator (e.g., modulator 720) may
be configured to modulate a raw light beam and transmit a modulated light
beam over one or more free space optical communication links. Data center
1800 may include a light beam source (e.g., source 730) disposed external
to the DCU and configured to provide the raw light beam to the modulator.
The plurality of DCUs in data center 1800 may be electrically disjoint
and in communication only optically (or wirelessly).

[0153] At least one bottle in data center 1800 has an optical interface
unit (e.g., OIU 1720, OIU 1720'), which like OIU 120, may be configured
to connect or disconnect the bottle (e.g., in response to optical control
signals) to or from an inter-bottle network 1820 of one or more free
space optical communication links between the plurality of bottles or
DCUs in the data center. The links may be preset or dynamically
established during data center operation. The links may include one or
more unipolar, bipolar, multi-polar, and/or pass-through optical links
between the plurality of bottles. Data center 1800 may include a
light-absorbing gas or fluid arranged to dampen light propagation beyond
a connection point or node in inter-bottle network 1820.

[0154] The optical interface unit (e.g., OIU 1720 and OIU 1720') may
include suitable mechanically and/or electrically steerable optical
elements configured to steer a light beam in a select direction. An
inter-bottle network controller (e.g. network controller 630) may be
coupled to the optical interface unit to supervise its operations to
connect or disconnect the bottle to inter-bottle network 1820. Data
center 1800 may include a beacon assembly or other location-indicating
device configured to locate a connection point for the optical interface
unit. The optical interface may be configured to be responsive to the
locating beacon to connect to connect the bottle to inter-bottle network
1820 of one or more free space optical communication links.

[0155] Internal network 1820, like internal network 1220, may be
configured to support multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical
communications over free space optical communication links. Internal
network 1820 may be arranged to include one or more virtual local area
networks (LANs) linking respective groups DCUs. The one or more virtual
LANs may be assigned respective wavelengths for optical signal
transmission. Likewise, a specific data processing application and the
DCUs running the specific data processing application may be assigned a
designated wavelength for mutual data communications over internal
network 1820. The wavelength assignments may be preset or dynamic. A
specific DCU may be assigned discrete set of wavelengths for data
transmission and/or data receiving over internal network 1820.

[0156] The optical communication links 140 in internal network 1820 may be
arranged in a bus, a star, a ring and/or a hybrid topology. Further,
internal network 1820, like internal network 1220, may be arranged in a
hierarchy of networks. Internal network 1820 may, for example, have links
arranged between a DCU and its proximate or nearest neighbors. An
hierarchy of diverse networks may, for example, be based on wavelengths
and/or spatial diversity. Internal network 1820, like internal network
1320, may include one or more central hubs and/or sub-hubs, and include
one or more links between the central hubs, sub-hubs, and/or DCUs. The
central hubs and/or sub-hubs may include routing holograms. Internal
network 1820 may, for example, include a first network, which is
optically isolated from a second network. For this purpose, data center
1800/internal network 1820 may include receivers that are range and/or
direction limited and configured to optically isolate the first network
from the second network. The isolated first and second networks may, for
example, include an optically isolated wavelength-addressed n×n
network, and/or a wavelength-addressed 32×32 network.

[0157] One or more DCUs in data center 1800 may be associated with
respective identifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities, and the DCUs
may be configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals at
their respective identifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities.
Conversely, an optical receiver in data center 1800 may be configured to
identify a sending DCU by the identifying-wavelength and/or signal
polarity of the optical control and/or data signals broadcast by the
sending DCU.

[0158] Further, one or more DCUs in data center 1800 may be configured to
broadcast free space optical control/and or data signals. A DCU may be
configured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or data signal
in which an intended recipient is designated by a respective transmit
time slot in the signal. Conversely, an optical receiver in data center
1800 may be configured to recognize that it is the intended recipient of
the free space optical control/and or data signal broadcast by
recognizing its respective transmit time slot in the signal. Further, a
multiplicity of DCUs may be associated with a respective combination of
identifying-wavelengths and/or time slots, and configured to broadcast
optical control and/or data signals with their respective combination of
identifying-wavelengths and time slots. Conversely, a DCU's optical
receiver may be configured to identify a sending DCU by recognizing the
sending DCU's respective combination of the identifying-wavelengths
and/or time slots.

[0159] The multiplicity of DCUs associated with respective
identifying-wavelengths, may be configured to simultaneously broadcast
optical control and/or data signals at the DCUs respective
identifying-wavelengths over one or more free space optical communication
links. Conversely, an optical receiver in data center 1800 may be
configured to wavelength-demultiplex and optionally buffer a received
optical control and/or data signal. For this purpose, the optical
receiver may include suitable demultiplexing circuitry, (e.g., an array
of photodiodes operating at different wavelengths) and a buffer for the
wavelength-demultiplexed signals.

[0160] Like in network 220, one or more nodal points 150 in internal
network 1820 may be associated with individual DCUs in data center 1800.
At least one nodal point 150 may correspond to a DCU's OIU. Further, at
least one nodal point 150 may be external to the plurality of DCUs in
data center 1800. For example, a nodal point 150 may be associated with
network controller 630. Another nodal point 150 may be associated with an
external network access interface (e.g., interface 250), which provides
external network access to data center 1800. The one or more free space
optical communication links across data center 1800 may include a nodal
point-to-nodal point link and/or a nodal point-to-multinodal point link.

[0161] Each nodal point 150 in internal network 1820 may include passive
or active optical structures or elements that are configurable to
establish the one or more free space optical communication links 140. The
optical structures or elements may, for example, include one or more of a
reflecting mirror, a steerable telescope, a hemispherical lens, an
optical router, an electro-optical beam steering element, and/or a
mechanically steerable optical element.

[0162] The one or more nodal points 150, which may be interposed at
locations remote to the DCUs 110, may include a reconfigurable nodal
point. Like OIUs 120, 1720, and 1720', the reconfigurable nodal point may
include a passive or an active optical arrangement 510 of one or more
optical elements (e.g., a mirror, a steerable mirror, a receiver, a
transmitter, and/or a receiver-transmitter). FIG. 5 shows optical
arrangements 510 disposed in a data center. The optical elements in
arrangement 510 (e.g., a fixed or steerable mirror disposed at any one of
a data center region wall, ceiling, floor, and/or boundary) may be
configured to redirect an optical beam incident from a first nodal point
150 in the network 1820 to one or more other nodal points 150. The
optical elements may include an arrangement of discrete mirrors and/or
reflectors configured to redirect light from a first nodal point to a
second nodal point in the internal network. The discrete mirrors and/or
reflectors may be optically steerable.

[0163] Data center 1800 may further include a router (e.g., a passive
router, an active router, a mirror assembly, a holographic reflector, an
optical switch and/or a receiver/transmitter with electronic switching)
configured to route data between the data center units over the one or
more free space optical communication links in network 1820.

[0164] In general, internal network 1820 of one or more free space optical
links may include an optical arrangement configured to redirect light
from a first nodal point to a second nodal point in the internal network.
The optical arrangement may include an arrangement of discrete mirrors,
diffractive elements, and/or reflectors configured to redirect light from
a first nodal point to a second nodal point in the internal network. The
optical arrangement may, for example, include a mirror disposed at any
one of a data center region wall, ceiling, floor, and/or boundary, and/or
an arrangement of discrete mirrors and/or reflectors (e.g., optically
steerable elements) configured to redirect light from a first nodal point
to a second nodal point in the internal network. The optical arrangement
may also include structures, blockers, screens and/or baffles to block
stray light.

[0165] Likewise, the external network access interface (e.g., interface
240), which provides external network access to data center data center
may include one or more optical elements (e.g., a reflecting mirror, a
steerable telescope and/or a hemispherical lens, an electro-optical beam
steering element and/or a mechanically steerable optical element)
configured to link an external network to the internal network of the one
or more free space optical communication links.

[0166] The inter-bottle network controller (e.g. network controller 630)
in data center 1800 may be configured to establish a dynamic link during
data center operations using a search or scanning process. The dynamic
link may be established, for example, in response to a data center
process value and/or an external process value or command.

[0167] Like data center 500, data center 1800 may also include a cooling
arrangement 1550 coupled to one or more of the DCUs disposed in data
center 1800. Cooling arrangement 1550 may be based on a spray, blown
air/gas, and/or a LN2 coolant.

[0169] Method 1900 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing one or more data center bottles
in the data center (1910). Each data center bottle may have a plurality
of data processing units (DPUs) configured to run a part or all of the
data processing application (1910). The plurality of DPUS may be linked
to an optical interface unit which is configured to, under free space
optical signal control, connect the data center bottle to an network of
one or more free space optical communication links. Method 1900 further
includes providing an internal network of one or more free space optical
communication links between a plurality of nodal points distributed
across the data center (1920).

[0170] Method 2000 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing one or more data center units
(DCUs) in the data center (2010). The DCUs may be configured to run a
part or all of the data processing application. At least a first of the
plurality of data center units has an optical interface unit (01U)
responsive to optical control signals. Method 2000 further includes
providing an internal network of one or more free space optical control
and/or data communication links between nodal points associated with
individual DCUs-across the data center (2020); and providing a network
controller configured to connect or disconnect the plurality of data
center units from the internal network (2030).

[0171] Method 2100 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing one or more data center units
(DCUs) in the data center (2110). The DCUs may be configured to run a
part or all of the data processing application. At least one of the DCUs
may be a mobile DCU movable between a first and a second location in the
data center. Method 2100 further includes providing a reconfigurable
internal network of one or more free space optical communication links
inter-linking of one or more of the plurality of DCUs (2120); and
providing an internal network controller configured to control
inter-linking of one or more of the plurality of DCUs including the
mobile DCU at its first and second locations to the reconfigurable
internal network (2130).

[0172] Method 2200 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing one or more data center units
(DCUs) in the data center (2210). The DCUs may be configured to run a
part or all of the data processing application. Method 2200 further
includes providing an internal network of one or more free space optical
communication links to at least a first of the plurality of data center
units (2220); providing a modulator co-disposed with the first of the
plurality of data center units in the region (2230). The modulator may be
configured to modulate a raw light beam and transmit a modulated light
beam over the one or more free space optical communication links. Method
2200 also includes providing at least one light beam source disposed
external to the first of the plurality of data center units and
configured to provide the raw light beam to the modulator (2240).

[0173] Method 2300 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing one or more data center units
(DCUs) in the data center (2310); and, providing a modulator co-disposed
with the first of the plurality of data center units (2320). Each DCU may
be configured to run a part or all of a data processing application is
configured and to be connected to other devices via a network of one or
more free space optical communication links. The modulator may be
configured to modulate a raw light beam and transmit a modulated light
beam over the one or more free space optical communication links. (DCU
version) A method comprising:

[0174] Method 2400 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing one or more data center units
(DCUs) in the data center (2410), and configuring at least one of the
plurality of DCUs to broadcast optical control and/or data signals in the
region over an internal network of one or more free space optical
communication links (2420).

[0175] Method 2500 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing one or more data center units
(DCUs) in the data center at least one of which has an optical receiver
(2510); and configuring the optical receiver in its receiving position to
receive multiple optical control and/or data signals over a one or more
free space optical communication links leading to the at least one DCU
(2520).

[0176] Method 2600 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a data center unit (DCU) having
one or more data processing units that are configured to run a part or
all of a data processing application (2610). Method 2600 further includes
providing a transmitter and/or a receiver coupled to the one or more data
processing units (2620); configuring the transmitter in its transmitting
position to broadcast optical data signals over a plurality of optical
communication links extending from the DCU in its transmitting position
(2630); and configuring the receiver in its receiving position to receive
multiple optical control and/or data signals over one or more free space
optical communication links leading to the DCU (2640).

[0177] Method 2700 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a plurality of data center units
(DCUs) in the data center (2710). Each DCU may be configured to run a
part or all of one or more data processing applications, and one of more
of the DCUs may be coupled to an internal network of one or more free
space optical communication links between the DCUs. Method 2700 further
includes configuring the internal network to support multi-wavelength
and/or multi-polarization optical communications over the links (2720).

[0178] Method 2800 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a data center unit (DCU) having
one or more data processing units that are configured to run a part or
all of a data processing application (2810); providing an optical
interface unit (OIU) configured to couple the DCU unit to a network of
one or more free space optical communication links (2820); and
configuring the network to support multi-wavelength and/or
multi-polarization optical communications over the one or more links
(2830).

[0179] Method 2900 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a first set of data center units
(DCUs) (2910); and, providing a second set of DCUs coupled to the first
set of DCUs via an internal network of one or more optical communication
links (2920). Each DCU may be configured to run a part or all of a data
processing application. The internal network may include at least a first
network hub and a second network hub. Method 2900 further includes
linking the first and second set of DCUs are linked to the first and
second network hubs, respectively, via one or more free space optical
communication links (2930).

[0180] Method 3000 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a data center bottle having a
data processing unit coupled to an optical and/or wireless power receiver
(3010); and, providing a data center bottle having a data processing unit
coupled to an optical and/or wireless power receiver (3020).

[0181] Method 3100 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a plurality of data center units
(DCUs) disposed in a data center (3110). Each DCU may be configured to
run a part or all of a data processing application. Method 3100 further
includes providing a power distribution system configured to distribute
optical and/or wireless power to the plurality of data center units
disposed in the region. At least a first of the plurality of data center
units may be configured to run its part or all of the data processing
application using optical and/or wireless power received via the power
distribution system (3120).

[0182] Method 3200 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a plurality of bottles in a data
center, wherein each bottle has one or more data processing units (DPUs)
configured to run a part or all of a data processing application (3210);
providing at least a first of the plurality of bottles with an optical
interface unit (OIU) configured to connect or disconnect the first bottle
to or from an inter-bottle network of one or more free space optical
communication links between the plurality of bottles (3220); and, linking
the one or more data processing units (DPUs) in the first bottle
communicatively by an intra-bottle network which is optically decoupled
from the inter-bottle network (3230).

[0183] Method 3300 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a data center unit (DCU) having
one or more data processing units (DPUs) that are configured to run a
part or all of a data processing application (3310); and providing an
optical interface unit (OIU) coupled to the one or more DPUs (3320). The
OIU may be configured to couple the DCU to a network of one or more free
space optical communication links. Further, the OIU may include one or
more independently steerable light transmitting elements, independently
steerable light redirecting elements, and/or independently steerable
light receiving elements for communications over the free space optical
communication links.

[0184] Method 3400 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a plurality of data center units
(DCUs) disposed in a data center (3410); and providing an optical
interface unit (OIU) coupled to the one or more DCUs (3420). Each DCU may
be configured to run a part or all of a data processing application. The
OIU may be configured to couple a DCU to an internal network of one or
more free space optical communication links. Further, the OIU may include
one or more independently steerable transmitting elements, independently
steerable redirecting elements, and/or independently steerable receiving
elements for communications over free space optical communication links.
Method 3400 further includes steering the independently steerable
elements of the OIU to establish free space optical communication links
(3430).

[0185] Method 3500 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a data center unit (DCU) having
one or more data processing units that are configured to run a part or
all of a data processing application (3510); and providing an optical
interface unit (01U) coupled to the one or more data processing units
(3520). The OIU may be configured to connect the DCU unit to a network of
one or more free space optical communication links. Further, the OIU may
include one or more electrooptically steerable elements for transmitting,
redirecting, and/or receiving communications over the free space optical
communication links.

[0186] Method 3600 for executing a data processing application in a data
center or server farm includes providing a plurality of data center units
(DCUs) disposed in a data center (3610). Each DCU may be configured to
run a part or all of a data processing application. Method 3600 may
further include providing an optical interface unit (OIU) coupled to the
one or more DCUs (3620). The OIU may be configured to couple the DCU to
an internal network of one or more free space optical communication
links. Further, the OIU may include one or more electrooptically
steerable elements for transmitting, redirecting, and/or receiving
communications over the free space optical communication links. Method
3400 also includes steering the electrooptically steerable elements for
transmitting, redirecting, and/or receiving communications over the free
space optical communication links (3630).

[0187] Methods 1900-3600 may all provide or involve data center components
(e.g., bottles, units or processing units or circuitry) including
stationary or mobile components for processing a part or all of the data
processing application. The data center components may include one or
more of electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks
or free standing assemblies thereof. One or all of methods 1900-3600 may
further include providing other data center components (e.g., a cooling
unit, a wireless and/or optical power receiver, a power storage unit
and/or a beacon or other device configured to indicate a location of a
data center component, an external access interface/controller, optical
interface unit/network controller, a router, etc.) that may be the same
or similar to those described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-18.
Further, methods 1900-3600 may all provide or involve internal networks
of optical links for communications between various data center bottles,
units, or other components. The internal networks may involve free space
optical communication links between a plurality of nodal points
distributed across the data center. The internal networks provided by or
involved in the methods may have features that are the same or similar to
the features of the internal networks (including the inter- and
intra-bottle networks described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-18.

[0188] It will be understood that the free space optical communication
links between a plurality of nodal points distributed across the data
centers (e.g., described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-18) may be
preset or may be dynamically established during data center operations.
Exemplary method 3700 for executing a data processing application in a
data center or server farm may all provide or involve internal networks
of optical links for communications between various data center bottles,
units, or other components. Method 3700 includes providing a plurality of
data center units (DCUs) disposed in a data center (3710). Each DCU may
be configured to run a part or all of a data processing application.
Method 3700 may further include dynamically predicting, while the data
processing application is running, a future communication need between a
first DCU and a second DCU running part or all of the data processing
application (3720). Predicting a communication need may involve
predicting a start time (ts) and/or an end time (te) of such
need. Method 3700 includes establishing one or more free space optical
communication links to meet the predicted or anticipated communication
need between the first DCU and the second DCU running part or all of the
data processing application (3730) before the predicted start time
ts of the communication need. The links may be disconnected or
discontinued after a predicted (or actual) end time te of the
communication need.

[0189] Further, establishing the one or more free space optical
communication links between the first DCU and the second DCU may involve
activation of optical interface units associated with the DCUs to enable
transmission and/or reception of free-space optical communication signals
between the two DCUs. Such activation of the optical interface units may,
for example, involve alignment of physical optics and/or light beams. The
activation of the optical interface units to enable transmission and/or
reception of free-space optical communication signals between the two
DCUs may further, for example, include turning on or otherwise making
light sources, laser beams, amplifiers, switches, modulators, detectors,
receivers, and/or other components involved in transmission, reception,
and/or detection free-space optical communication signals operationally
available.

[0190] With reference to FIG. 38, the data centers (e.g., data center
3800) may include suitable circuitry for estimating or monitoring the
execution of a data processing application in parallel or in series on
one or more DCUs in a data center. Such circuitry (e.g., circuitry 3820)
may be configured to dynamically predict or anticipate a communication
need between the first DCU and the second DCU while part or all of the
data processing application is running in series and/or in parallel on
the DCUs. A network controller (e.g., controller 630), which is coupled
to the estimating or monitoring circuitry, may be configured to
dynamically establish a free space optical communication link between the
first DCU and the second DCU in anticipation of the predicted
communication need. The network controller may establish a free space
optical communication link, for example, by aligning physical optics
and/or light beams, or by activating and making operationally available
components (e.g., light sources, laser beams, amplifiers, switches,
modulators, detectors, receivers, and/or other components) that may be
involved in transmission, reception, and/or detection free-space optical
communication signals. The network controller may be further configured
to disconnect or discontinue the link once the predicted communication
need is over.

[0191] The foregoing detailed description has set forth various
embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block
diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams,
flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or
operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each
function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or
examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide
range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination
thereof In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter
described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated
Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal
processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in
the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed
herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in
integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or
more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more
computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more
processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more
microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof,
and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software
and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art
in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are
capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms,
and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described
herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium
used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing
medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type
medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a
Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a
transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication
medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications
link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver,
transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).

[0192] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein,
other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for
purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the
true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Patent applications by Arne Josefsberg, Medina, WA US

Patent applications by Burton Smith, Seattle, WA US

Patent applications by Charles Whitmer, North Bend, WA US

Patent applications by Clarence T. Tegreene, Bellevue, WA US

Patent applications by Craig J. Mundie, Seattle, WA US

Patent applications by Edward K.y. Jung, Bellevue, WA US

Patent applications by Howard Lee Davidson, San Carlos, CA US

Patent applications by James R. Hamilton, Bellevue, WA US

Patent applications by Jordin T. Kare, Seattle, WA US

Patent applications by Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Bellevue, WA US

Patent applications by Michael Manos, North Bend, WA US

Patent applications by Nathan P. Myhrvold, Medina, WA US

Patent applications by Richard F. Rashid, Redmond, WA US

Patent applications by Robert V. Welland, Seattle, WA US

Patent applications by Robert W. Lord, Seattle, WA US

Patent applications by Roderick A. Hyde, Redmond, WA US

Patent applications by William Henry Mangione-Smith, Kirkland, WA US

Patent applications in class Optical local area network (LAN)

Patent applications in all subclasses Optical local area network (LAN)